Replay: A Dallas Mavericks talk with Eddie Sefko (5/6/14)

SportsDay

Eddie Sefko joins us at 1 p.m. Tuesday, but ask your questions now and he will have them when he arrives. Thanks for your readership!

by SportsDayDFW5/6/2014 12:02:47 AM

Howdy everybody. Welcome to the 2014-15 season. Not that I'm going to ignore the rest of the playoffs. It would be great entertainment if the rest of the rounds are as competitive as the first roun was. But the Mavreicks now have to look forward, so we will too. Let's open up the chat room and see what's on your mind.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 5:57:51 PM

I heard that Mavs might go after Monroe.Your opinion?

by Ben Kol5/6/2014 5:58:12 PM

I'd rather have Andre Drummond among the Detroit big men, but that ain't happening. So Monroe would be a nice addition, but at what price? It's going to cost a bunch of draft picks and another good young player or two. Not sure the Mavericks have the assets to execute a sign and trade. And if they offer him a deal as an RFA, the Pistons would be likely to match it. And by the way, Monroe doesn't impress me as much after this season as he did after last season. He kind of hit a plateau and I'm wondering if there is another level for for him.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:00:51 PM

I was not pleased with Harris because I think that he did not improve since he left Dallas.At the beginning of his career he was at the same level with Tony Parker but after few years,Parker looks more intelligent and more mature than Harris who continue to play based on talent but does not use his intelligence.Should they keep him?

by Ben Kol5/6/2014 6:00:57 PM

If he's your third guard, you're in pretty good shape in the backcourt. The Mavericks could use one, somewhat bigger, guard to fill out the rotation. But for now, it's going to be Calderon, Ellis and Harris, unless some other team comes at him with silly money.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:02:19 PM

I am very impressed with Ariza.I hope the Mavs play him out of Washington.Is he better than Deng?

by Ben Kol5/6/2014 6:02:30 PM

I don't think so, but I confess to having a man-crush on Deng ever since early in his career when he torched the Mavericks in a win at AAC. Ariza has definitely earned the right to be mentioned in the same free-agent level as Deng and Lance Stephenson and Monroe. But if the Wizards are in the Eastern Conference finals in two weeks, it's hard to see them breaking up that nucleus after so many years of wandering through the NBA wasteland.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:04:13 PM

Do you think that Monta Ellis can get better than what he has been this season and playoff.If yes,how?

by Ben Kol5/6/2014 6:04:27 PM

Well, as mentioned on the season-wrap-up page in The Dallas Morning News today, the Mavericks believe he has the ability to take quantum leaps. What that means is that they want him to get more consistent with his midrange and 3-point shots. He's not going to get any faster going to the rim. He's already a blur. So that's great. But if he can make defenses play closer to him on the perimeter to open up more lanes to the basket, he'd be virtually unguardable. Right now, teams dare him to shoot and when they don't, they pay the price on the pick and roll as he usually gets to the rim for a bucket or a foul or both. So Rick Carlisle will stick him in the gym this summer and feed him pass after pass after pass to work on catch-and-shoot stuff coming off the pick and roll and in the flow offense.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:06:51 PM

Great season is over, new (off-)season is coming. Will Dirk be part of any recruiting pitch again this summer?

by Flip5/6/2014 6:07:29 PM

You can bank on it. And I wouldn't be surprised if Monta Ellis comes along on any sales-pitch trips. I don't know about anybody else, but I was surprised that Dirk actually got some MVP votes. That's amazing to me. (And no, I wasn't one of the ones who had him fourth or fifth in the balloting). He's still a good player and one that is more than willing to step into a sidekick's roll if the Mavericks can lure one of the "big fishies" as Nowitzki has called them.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:09:31 PM

Who of the Free-Agents this year is worthy to overpay for the Mavs?

by Sam5/6/2014 6:09:46 PM

Sorry for the delay, had to do a bit of quick research for this one. There are two guys I would overpay. First, Zach Randolph. He's not a max player, but if you think he's the answer to your rebounding problems and can fit on the other side of the court away from Dirk Nowitzki, then he'd be a great fit. Pay the man. The other is Al Farouq-Aminu. Yes, you read that right. And by overpay, I mean you give him a mid-level exception or maybe a bit more if you feel you have stiff competition. He's not a shooter, but his defense and rebounding would serve nicely as a replacement if Shawn Marion moves on. Again, I threw out players like Ariza, Deng, Gortat and a few others because those players are going to get huge money from somebody, so I don't consider that overpaying.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:14:15 PM

what do you think about Ledo and Larkin,are they going to get playing time next season?

by Ben Kol5/6/2014 6:14:21 PM

Larkin will get every chance to break into the rotation because of his speed. Not sure about Ledo. He wasn't around the team a lot this season and he has some growing up to do. Maybe time in the D-league helped that process. He's a long-term project. But next season is the time to see some solid steps forward. If not, it would probably be wise to cut the cord.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:15:50 PM

Who do you think is the biggest target for the Mavs in free agency that they have a realistic chance at getting?

by Prince5/6/2014 6:16:06 PM

Deng, Ariza, Gortat, Hawes...Those are just four realistic names. It's a little early to start saying they have the inside track to anybody.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:16:32 PM

Sooo, who do you got winning the title?

by Timmy5/6/2014 6:16:41 PM

Gotta be honest, I can't remember who I picked in the preseason. Hopefully, they're still playing, whoever they are. But if you're giving me a mulligan, I still think the Spurs are going to be very tough to beat four times. The Mavericks took a big swing at them and it wouldn't surprise me at all if the next two rounds were easier on the Spurs than the Mavericks were.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:17:54 PM

Calderon has been decent, but we can upgrade.If Rondo is made avavailable, do we make a major push? What assets would we need to part with to make it an attractive deal?

by danny norde5/6/2014 6:18:24 PM

I don't see enough assets in the war chest to get it done. Boston is going to ask for a ton of draft picks and good young talent. Those are two things the Mavericks are shy on -- at least in the numbers the Celtics will be talking about. And believe me, I like Rondo. But sometimes there's just no fit.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:19:23 PM

The Mavericks are without a first round pick in one of the deepest drafts in recent memory. What are the chances they make a trade to try to get a guy drafted in the middle-to-late first round?

by MFFL5/6/2014 6:19:44 PM

The early vibe from the Mavericks' brass is that picks No. 20 through 40 are pretty much the same. There are a ton of players in the mix that, if somebody likes them, could go 20th and if somebody doesn't like them, could go 40th. The Mavericks have the 35th ovverall pick from Boston in the Olynyk deal. I think they like the idea of drafting there rather than having to risk guaranteed money to move up into the 20s.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:22:08 PM

I really like the play of eric bledsoe (pheonix suns) he's a big and physical guard who's a bigger gaurd who can shoot. what do you think about the mavs persuing someone like that? i think that'll help our back court. But he may come at high demand. Or someone like a luol deng who will bring veteran leadership

by christaan5/6/2014 6:22:50 PM

Both great names. We've been beating the Deng drum for some time now. Bledsoe is harder to figure. He's a solid, thick guard who could become an all-star level player. But I'm weary of taking chances on point guards based on one year of production. And remember, he wasn't the best point guard on that team.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:24:28 PM

Is Cuban pleased with this year results or is he frustrated?

by Ben Kol5/6/2014 6:24:33 PM

I think he's pleased and frustrated. He doesn't like seasons that end before June. But he knew this wasn't a championship-level team. He's smart enough to know that at least now, the team is positioned to make a solid leap into relevance next season -- i.e., challenging for a home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. It's an important summer for adding weapons.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:25:44 PM

there are rumors floating around about the Mavs trading for Tyson Chandler. What have you heard? What other big men might be available through sign/trade that you think the Mavericks would be interested in?

by john5/6/2014 6:26:07 PM

Hey, if you're over 6-10 and have a pulse, the Mavericks probably have some level of interest in you. I'd rate Chandler returning as a long shot, but sometimes long shots come in. Not sure if he'd be the same Tyson that helped win a title in 2011. But he's still not a fossil yet. And that contract -- down to one year and $14.5 million -- is a lot more palatable now. Of course, every other team knows that, too. If the Knicks are intent on remaking the roster, then somebody's goingto be pumped up to try to lure Chandler away. He'd be a perfect fit for somebody like, say, Oklahoma City, which traded for him years ago but rescinded the deal when Chandler's toe problems emerged. If there's no hard feelings, he'd be a monster with that team.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:29:37 PM

I don't think that the mavs need Chandler,Barerea.That is just for nostalgy.Mavs need to move on.

by Ben Kol5/6/2014 6:29:55 PM

I tend to agree with you.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:30:00 PM

Should the Mavs try to sign young free agents (Stephenson, Monroe) instead of older players (Deng,Gortat) to create a young competitive core?

by Michael5/6/2014 6:30:12 PM

This team wants to compete every year, not get on a three-year plan. Of course, Cuban already said they are in the midst of a two-year plan, so i guess maybe they've altered their thinking somewhat. But Deng just turned 29 last month so it's not like he's ancient. He should be smack in the middle of his best years.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:31:32 PM

thoughts on Lowry and a trade for Larry Sanders?

by james5/6/2014 6:31:41 PM

How can you not like Lowry. But the Raptors like him, too. And I'm not a Sanders fan. Having said that, the Mavericks have not once ever asked me if I'm a fan of somebody they are hoping to acquire.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:32:20 PM

Do you think the Mavs will go after Jason Terry again

by brandon5/6/2014 6:32:25 PM

Nope.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:32:28 PM

How realistic is it to say the mavs will be a better team next year

by brandon5/6/2014 6:32:30 PM

Based on the uptick from last season to this season, it's reasonable to expect another step up next year. They have better talent and expect to be better still after the free-agent dust settles in July. Rest assured, they have a plan. Or at least, they will have a plan well before the frenzy hits.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:33:29 PM

Will LeBron really opt out? And if he does, who's realistically in play for him besides Miami? Does Dallas have any shot at all?

by Errol a.k.a Walt Jr.5/6/2014 6:34:16 PM

He will opt out, from all indications. And when he does, there will be 30 teams kicking the tires with his agent to see if there's any chance. About 25 of those teams will instantly be told no. The rest will be told to make their best pitch. The Mavericks probably have a chance to get to the table, just because of Cuban. Stranger things have happened, but not many.

by Eddie Sefko5/6/2014 6:35:30 PM

OK folks, we're outta time for this chat. Hopefully we'll check in soon again to check the pulse of the second-best NBA team in Texas.